Copywriting tips for Google Places

Optimising copy on Google Places

Implementing commercial copywriting best practice on Google Places can significantly boost search rankings, it has been claimed.

Geoff Kenyon, SEO consultant at Distilled, has written a blog on search industry news website SEOmoz entitled Optimising Your Google Places Page. He explained that Google is increasingly showing Places entries on its search engine results pages. As a result, he reasoned that optimising the listing can help many businesses gain a foothold on the first page of results.

During a wide-ranging article, Mr Kenyon suggested the person responsible for handling Google Places entries should provide as much text as possible. This includes giving as much information as possible in the additional details section, as well as completing the following optional text fields - email address, website, description and categories.

The importance of SEO keyword placement

It was also recommended that keywords should be used carefully. While Mr Kenyon advised companies to resist adding keywords to their trading name or business categories, he encouraged their use in the description. And as with all SEO commercial copywriting, the text must still be readable as opposed to blatantly stuffed with keywords.

He explained: "Do make an effort to strategically use your keywords in your description. Don't keyword stuff, but word your description carefully and use your primary keyword phrases."

Google Places enables businesses to create a company listing that can be accessed by the general public on Google Maps. In addition to text descriptions, users can also upload photos of their storefront and key products